Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson are both seasoned musical performers. They don't have Top 40 hits anymore but have worldwide cult followings.
Rundgren's and Jackson's audiences tend to "skew older," but despite the predominance of late- 40- and 50-somethings at their April 20 show at War Memorial Auditorium, I have never seen such juvenile, disruptive behavior at any concert. Whose bright idea was it to allow beer to be brought into the auditorium? Groups of noisy, unsteady people were still being led to their seats 40 minutes into the program. Drunken babbling and continual hopping into and out of seats went on during the entire three-hour show.
An unfavorable impression of a concert is usually due to the performers having an off night or to technical problems. Not so with Todd and Joe. They gamely played and sang beautifully, despite the steady chatter and hollering typically heard at an arena show.
Those who left their manners at home could have taken a cue from the 7- or 8-year-old girl who sat in front of us. She was good as gold, listening attentively and applauding enthusiastically. These outstanding performers deserved the same respect from everyone in attendance.
Elizabeth C. Jones
Durham
Comments (6)
Elizabeth, I hate I missed that show! :(
I personally wouldnt take my 8 year old daughter to a concert with a bunch of old drunks, but the people in front of you live in the USA, so they were free to do so.
As for the beer, well its legal so thats why it was there. Back in the days of Todd and Joe, people snuck in joints to smoke.. never any problems back then. :) The things that make ya go hmmmmmmmm.
Posted by Lilly | April 27, 2005 7:56 AM
People who ruin great moments obviously have a fear of dignity. I decided years ago never to attend theatres or the coliseum, lest I be a victim.
An increase in the cost of tickets could be a deterrent. This would have them weigh their "joy of distraction" against the actual cost of that privilege. Face recognition technology could be used to compare the mugs of the offenders to any area wrestling fans. Whatever the solution, let's hope they don't find a way around it.
Posted by steve | April 27, 2005 10:29 AM
I took my eleven-year-old son to this event, thanks to a couple of comp. tickets we received just hours before the show. He loved it (has already asked to borrow some of my Todd/Joe albums!)but was wanting to know if this really counts as his first "rock" concert since "there weren't any drums!"
Posted by stephen | April 27, 2005 2:42 PM
"Back in the days of Todd and Joe, people snuck in joints to smoke.. never any problems back then. :) "
very, very, very true!!!
Posted by timothy | April 27, 2005 4:18 PM
Funny, she said concert. Has she ever been to a "concert" before? Maybe, she was expecting Yanni to pop out or Barbara Streisand. Concerts are all about the environment, not just the show on the stage. This isn't a theater where you have to be quiet. It's not China either, where they have to sit and watch without interruption. Maybe she should attend more Disney or broadway performances so she can be with the same type of crowd.
Posted by jeffrey | April 28, 2005 12:51 PM
Public sanctioned drunks are disgusting and piglike. Just below that are cigarette smokers that light one after the others. The suckers.
The REAL good GREEN and MEDS is what's best for this country, if controlled properly, and taxed correctly.
Posted by anon | July 6, 2005 8:07 PM